ANDREW RICHARDS FROM BALERNO AND MARLBOROUGH ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES

In a case that has drawn significant attention, Andrew Richards, a former educator with ties to Marlborough and currently residing in Balerno near Edinburgh, narrowly avoided imprisonment after being found guilty of possessing indecent images of children. The incident dates back to April 2006, when Richards was employed as a house master and mathematics teacher at Marlborough College, located in Wiltshire.

It was during this period that authorities uncovered evidence suggesting Richards had accessed and viewed obscene material on the internet. The discovery was made after staff members at Marlborough College became suspicious of Richards' computer activity and reported their concerns to the police. Following these reports, law enforcement officials promptly seized his electronic devices for examination.

Subsequently, Richards was arrested and faced charges related to the possession of indecent images of children. During a court hearing held on a Friday, he admitted to two counts concerning the possession of such material. The court proceedings revealed that Richards had been involved in viewing and downloading inappropriate content involving minors.

Despite the serious nature of the charges, magistrates decided against imposing a custodial sentence. Instead, they handed down a two-year conditional discharge, which means Richards will not serve time in prison unless he commits another offense within that period. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender and was required to pay court costs amounting to £35.

It was also noted that Richards left Marlborough College shortly after his arrest. Since then, he has relocated to Balerno, a suburb near Edinburgh, where he has been pursuing a postgraduate course. Salisbury Magistrates Court documented these details, emphasizing the legal consequences Richards faced and his current residence and activities.